Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra (Symphony Orchestra of Northern Greece)

The Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra (TSSO) is one of Greece’s most significant cultural institutions, renowned for its broad repertoire spanning from baroque masterpieces to avant-garde compositions. Founded in 1959 by the Greek composer Solon Michaelides, the orchestra became a state institution in 1966. Over the years, many prominent Greek musicians have served as its directors, beginning with Michaelides himself and followed by figures such as Georgios Thymis, Alkis Baltas, Karolos Trikolidis, Kosmas Galileas, Konstantinos Patsalides, Leonidas Kavakos, Mikis Michaelides, Myron Michailidis, Alexandre Myrat, and Georgios Vranos. Today, the orchestra comprises approximately 110 musicians, with Zoi Tsokanou, the first woman to hold the position, serving as its current artistic director.

The TSSO’s activities extend beyond weekly symphonic concerts to include opera, ballet, and live music for silent films. The orchestra is also dedicated to educational outreach, offering programmes for children, young audiences, and families to inspire and cultivate a love for music among future generations.

A cornerstone of the TSSO’s mission is to promote Greek musical heritage by presenting numerous Greek and world premieres. It is also committed to supporting emerging artists, many of whom have gone on to achieve international recognition. As a pioneering artistic institution, the TSSO records for leading international labels such as BIS, NAXOS, EMI Classics, and Feelgood Records.

The orchestra has collaborated with a wide range of distinguished Greek and international conductors and soloists. Annually, it tours extensively across Greece, with a particular focus on Northern Greece, and has gained international acclaim with performances in cities such as Nicosia, Marseille, Valencia, Beijing, Prague, Florence, Berlin, Strasbourg, Clermont-Ferrand, and Munich.

This vibrant combination of performance, education, and cultural outreach solidifies the TSSO’s reputation as a cornerstone of Greece’s artistic legacy.

Source: Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra